Edge preference of retinal and tectal neurons in common toads (Bufo bufo) in response to worm-like moving stripes: the question of behaviorally relevant ‘position indicators’

Summary Previous experiments have shown that during prey-catching behavior (orienting, snapping) in response to a worm-like moving stripe common toads.Bufo bufo (L.) exhibit a contrast-and direction-dependent edge preference. To a black (b) stripe moving against a white (w) background (b/w), they respond (R^*) preferably toward the leading (l) rather the trailing (t) edge (R _l ^* > R _t ^* ), thus displaying head preference. If the contrastdirection is reversed (w/b), the stripe's trailing edge is preferred (R _l ^* < R _t ^* ), hence showing tail preference. In the present study, neuronal activities of retinal classes R2 and R3 and tectal classes T5(2) and T7 have been extracellularly recorded in response to leading and trailing edges of a 3 ° × 30 ° stripe simulating a worm and traversing the centers of their excitatory receptive fields (ERF) horizontally at a constant angular velocity in variable movement direction (temporo-nasal or naso-temporal).The behavioral contrast-direction dependent edge preferences are best resembled by the responses (R) of prey-selective class T5(2) neurons (R_l R_t=101 for b/w, 0.31 for w/b) and T7 neurons (R_lR_t=61 for b/w, 0.41 for w/b); the T7 responses may be dendritic spikes. This property can be traced back to off-responses dominated retinal class R3 neurons (R_lR_t=61 for b/w, 0.51 for w/b), but not to class R2 (R_lR_t =1.21 for b/w and 0.91 for w/b). The respective edge preference phenomena are independent of the direction of movement.When stimuli were moved against a stationary black-white structured background, the head preference to the black stripe and the tail preference to the white stripe were maintained in class R3, T5(2), and T7 neurons. If the stripe traversed the ERF together with the structured background in the same direction at the same velocity, the responses of tectal class T5(2) and T7 neurons were strongly inhibited, particularly in the former. Responses of retinal R2 neurons in comparable situations could be reduced by about 50%, while class R3 neurons responded to both the stimulus and the moving background structure.The results support the concept that the prey feature analyzing system in toads applies principles of (i) parallel and (ii) hierarchial information processing. These are (i) divergence of retinal R3 neuronal output contributes to stimulus edge positioning and (in combination with R2 output) area evaluation intectal neurons and to stimulus area evaluation and (in combination with R4 output) sensitivity for moving background structures inpre tectal neurons; (ii) convergence of tectal excitatory and pretectal inhibitory inputs specify the property of prey-selective tectal T5(2) neurons which are known to project to bulbar/spinal motor systems.Abbreviations ERF excitatory receptive field - IRF inhibitory receptive field - N nasal - T temporal - R _w response to a worm-like stripe moving in the direction of its longer axis - R _A response to an antiworm-like stripe whose longer axis is oriented perpendicular to the direction of movement - R _l response to the leading edge of a worm-like moving stripe - R _t response to the trailing edge of a worm-like moving stripe - b/w black stimulus against a white background - w/b white stimulus against a black background - sm structured moving background - ss structured stationary background - u minimal structure width of a structured background consisting of rectangular black and white patches in random distribution - HRP horseradish peroxidase     

Sound production through the substrate during reproduction in the mottled sculpin,Cottus bairdi (Cottidae)

Synopsis During reproduction maleCottus bairdi defend cavities beneath stones and perform defense and reproductive displays. Using a geophone to detect substrate vibrations under dark conditions (infrared viewing), we recorded three types of sounds. Knocks are produced during head nods and an acoustically similar sound is produced when the fish slaps the head to the substrate. A third sound, the drum roll appears to be a fast repetition of several knocks followed by a head slap. We argue that these signals traveling through the substrate are of greater importance than sounds traveling through the water because (1) the substrate vibration attenuates at a much lesser rate than the water vibration and, (2) even near riffles, which generate much water vibration, the background noise in the substrate is low enough for the fish to detect such sounds.     

Extended haplotype analysis of cystic fibrosis mutations and its implications for the selective advantage hypothesis

The major cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation, F508, is associated with one haplotype (B) determined by the two polymorphic markers, XV2C and KM19. This haplotype is rare (15%) among non-F chromosomes. Its frequency among non-F508 CF chromosomes is 50% with variation between populations. One hypothesis for the high frequency of CF haplotype B chromosomes suggests that there was a selective advantage for CF mutations on this specific background as a result of epistatic selection at other closely linked loci. Since the XV2C and KM19 markers are located 200kb 5 to the CF gene and span only 60 kb, an extended haplotype analysis was needed to test this hypothesis. Haplotypes were determined for 183 CF and 120 non-CF Israeli chromosomes at the XV2C and KM19 loci and at three intragenic polymorphic sites (GATT in intron 6A, TUB18 in intron 19, and 24M in exon 24). Among the studied chromosomes the frequency of non-F508 CF chromosomes associated with haplotype B was 70% (88% among Ashkenazi CF chromosomes). Nine mutations (F508, W1282X, G542X, N1303K, 3849+10 kb CT, Q359K/T360K, S549I, S549R, and 1717-1GA) were identified among the studied chromosomes. These mutations accounted for 96% of CF chromosomes of Ashkenazi origin. Haplotype B was associated with seven of these (F508, W1282X, G542X, N1303K, Q359K/ T360K, S549R, and 1717-1GA). The extended haplotype analysis revealed that in five of the seven mutations associated with the haplotype B, 97% of the chromosomes shared the same intragenic haplotype, 212. The variation found in 3% of the chromosomes was only in the GATT repeat. Two mutations, W1282X and 1717-1GA, were associated with a completely different intragenic haplotype, 121. The results of this study indicate that grouping of CF chromosome by haplotype analysis spanning a small extragenic region might not be sufficient. In addition, the results of the extended haplotype analysis indicate that all the studied CF chromosomes that carry the same mutation derived from the same origin. Furthermore, the results indicate that the majority of the CF mutations are associated with the same extended haplotype, supporting the selective advantage hypothesis.     

Effect of axoplasmic transport blockade on end-plate currents in frog muscle fibers

Evoked and spontaneous end-plate currents (EPC) were studied in normal voltage-clamped frog sartorius muscle fibers and 2 weeks after application of colchicine to the nerve innervating the muscle to block axoplasmic transport in its fibers. Application of colchicine was found to reduce the rate of rise and to prolong decay of EPC without affecting the amplitude of the EPC and miniature EPC, the quantum composition of EPC, and the frequency of miniature EPC. The histogram of distribution of the time constant () of EPC decay under normal conditions follows the normal law, but after application of colchicine to the nerve it is shifted to the right, with separation of two modes (₁ and ₂). Three types of synapses can be distinguished from the character of EPC decay: monoexponential decay with ₁ (44%), biexponential decay with ₁ and ₂ (39%), and monoexponential decay with ₂ (19%). An increase in of EPC decay is accompanied by strengthening of the dependence of this process on the clamping voltage. The current-voltage characteristic and reversal potential of EPC are unchanged. It is suggested that the change in character of EPC decay after application of colchicine to the motor nerve is due to the appearance of acetylcholine-activated ionic channels in the muscle membrane with a longer duration of the open state and with potential-dependence of the open state similar to that taking place after muscle denervation.S. V. Kurashov Medical Institute, Ministry of Health of the RSFSR, Kazan'. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 204–211, March–April, 1985.     

Ein Verfahren zur näherungsweisen Berechnung des Fruchtvolumens bei Äpfeln

Zusammenfassung Unter Berücksichtigung des Fruchtformindexes h/Ø der einzelnen Frucht kann man den Volumzuwachs beliebig zusammengesetzter Gruppen von Früchten an verschiedenen Bäumen vergleichen. Bei der Berechnung der Zuwachsraten des Fruchtvolumens braucht man nur Durchmesser und Höhe der Früchte zu kennen, um das tatsächliche Volumen in guter Annäherung zu berechnen. Die Daten der Regression des Korrekturfaktors für das Volumen (K ) auf den Fruchtformindex werden für vier Sorten stark unterschiedlicher Fruchtform angegeben. Das Volumen der Frucht wird nach folgender Formel berechnet: V = 4/3 · · r ³ · K . Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die Zuwachsrate verschiedener Sorten können bei Verwendung der sortentypischen Regressionen durchgeführt werden.

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A method for approximate calculation of fruit volume in apples

Summary Growth rates of fruit volume can be determined more precisely by using the index h/Ø (length of fruit/diameter) than by simply calculating the volume of a sphere based on the measured diameter. Fruit volume is to be calculated by: V = 4/3 · · r ³ · K K is the factor of deviation of fruit shape from a sphere. K is given for 4 different varieties with varying shape of fruits (Echter Winterglockenapfel, Golden Delicious, Cox Orange Pippin and Ingrid Marie). The increase in volume of any group of apples within one variety or of different varieties can be compared by means of the specific regression of h/Ø to K .

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Obstbauversuchsanstalt des Alten Landes in Jork     

Effect of prostaglandins F2α and E2 on sensitivity of rabbit cortical neurons to acetylcholine and noradrenalin

The effect of prostaglandins F₂ and E₂ on unit activity and sensitivity of somatosensory cortical neurons of rabbits to acetylcholine and noradrenalin was investigated by microiontophoresis. Prostaglandin F₂ predominantly inhibited, whereas E₂ increased the spike activity of the neurons. F₂ usually modified the sensitivity of the neurons to acetylcholine, E₂ to noradrenalin. The influence of F₂ on the excitatory effects of acetylcholine, and of E₂ on the inhibitory effects of noradrenalin as a rule was characterized by weakening of the action of the mediators or a change in the sign of the initial responses. It is suggested that prostaglandins of the F group participate in cholinergic, and those of the E group in adrenergic transmission. The prostaglandins studied evidently exert their action through selective inhibition of the activity of adenylate or guanylate cyclases, leading to a decrease in the synthesis of secondary transmitters, namely cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.B. K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 239–245, May–June, 1980.     

Characterisation and transferability of apple SSRs to two European pear F<Subscript>1</Subscript> populations

European pear (Pyrus communis L.) is among the important fruit species for which only few genetic studies have been carried out. Available evidence indicates that simple sequence repeats (SSR) are very useful as molecular markers because they are codominant, highly polymorphic, abundant and reproducible. The present paper reports more than 100 apple SSR markers in two populations of European pear; a total of 41 SSR markers were then positioned on a genetic linkage map of the cross Passe Crassane × Harrow Sweet and 31 in the map Abbè Fétel × Max Red Bartlett. Syntenic relationships between pear and apple maps have been considered for the chromosomes carrying two or more SSR markers. The alignment among the two maps supports the colinearity of the two genomes with respect both to identification and to orientation of the linkage groups.     

Acoustic communication in the trilling field cricket,Gryllus rubens (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Male field crickets produce calling songs that are used for attracting conspecific females for mating. Acoustic communication was studied in the trilling field cricket, Gryllus rubens.A trilled calling song consists of a continuous train of sound pulses, each of which was repeated at a stereotyped rate. Singing males were recorded at different temperatures. The pulse period of the calling song decreased with increasing temperature; there was less effect of temperature on pulse duration. Female phonotaxis was studied on a noncompensating, spherical treadmill. In two-stimulus (choice) playback experiments, females preferred the conspecific trilled song over the chirped calling song of a sympatric species, Gryllus fultoni.This preference persisted even when the song of G. fultoniwas 6 dB louder. Females also discriminated between synthetic trills having different pulse periods; females chose trills with the conspecific pulse period over trills having lower and higher pulse periods.     

Different effects of two brassinosteroids on growth,auxin and cytokinin content in tobacco callus tissue

Two synthetic brassinosteroids, 24-epibrassinolide (24-epiBR) and 2,3, 17-trihydroxy-5-androstan-6-one (THA-BR), exhibit different effects on growth of tobacco callus tissue. When added to a culture medium containing growth-limiting amounts of auxin, 24-epiBR reduced and THA-BR increased the fresh weight yield of tissue up to 53% and 207%, respectively, after 6 weeks of cultivation. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the two brassinosteroids on tissue growth occurred over a broad range of concentrations without a pronounced maximum corresponding to the yes or no type of response. Different effects of 24-epiBR and THA-BR on tissue growth were inversely proportional to the content of endogenous cytokinins. Maximum contents of predominant cytokinins N⁶-(²-isopentenyl)adenine (iP) and trans-zeatin (Z) in tissues supplied with 24-epiBR in growth-inhibiting concentrations were up to 3.7 fold and 3.4 fold higher, respectively, as compared to tissues grown on media containing growth-stimulating concentrations of THA-BR. Stimulation of tissue growth by THA-BR correlated with content of endogenous IAA and an inverse correlation was found between the content of endogenous IAA and cytokinins in tissues supplied with 24-epiBR. THA-BR exhibited weak cytokinin-like activity in a bioassay based on stimulation of growth of lateral buds of pea while 24-epiBR was inactive. Results indicate that the qualitatively different effects of the two brassinosteroids on growth of tobacco tissue may reflect their different influence on content of endogenous cytokinin.Abbreviations BR(s) brassinosteroid(s) - 24-epiBR 24-epibrassinolide - THA-BR 2,33, 17-trihydroxy-5-androstan-6-one - CK(s) cytokinin(s) - iP N⁶-(²-isopentenyl)adenine - [9R]iP N⁶-(²-isopentenyl)adenosine - Z trans-zeatin - [9R]Z ribosyl-trans-zeatin - ABA abscisic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - NAA naphtalene-1-acetic acid - DEAE cellulose diethylaminoethyl cellulose - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - ELISA enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay     

Neural response to bird’s own song and tutor song in the zebra finch field L and caudal mesopallium

Neurons in the song system nuclei of songbirds exhibit a strong preference for the sound of the birds own song relative to that of conspecific songs. This selectivity is observed in the high vocal center and the nucleus interface of the nidopallium, two song nuclei that receive input from the birds auditory system. To investigate the role of the auditory system in generating the selective responses observed in the song system, we recorded auditory responses in the zebra finch primary auditory forebrain, field L, and in a secondary auditory area, the caudal mesopallium. Field L and caudal mesopallium project directly or indirectly to the high vocal center and nucleus interface of the nidopallium and are presumed to provide substantial auditory input to the song system. We found that, on average, neurons in field L and caudal mesopallium did not show positive selective responses for the birds own song or tutor song relative to conspecific song. Moreover, there were no particular sub-areas in the auditory telencephalon that were relatively more selective than the average. The selectivity for the birds own song would therefore be restricted to song nuclei and would arise in one processing step, potentially found at the interface between the auditory and the song systems.Abbreviations BOS birds own song - CM caudal mesopallium (older term: caudal hyperstriatum ventrale or cHV) - Con conspecific song - HVC high vocal center - LMAN lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (older term: lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum) - LPS pallial-subpallial lamina (older term: lamina medularis dorsalis or LMD) - NCM caudal medial nidopallium (older term: caudo-medial neostriatum) - NIf nucleus interface of the nidopallium (older term: nucleus interface of the neostriatum) - RA robust nucleus of arcopallium (older term: robust nucleus of the archistriatum) - Rev reverse BOS - Revorder reverse order of BOS - Uva nucleus uvaeformis of the thalamusNew avian brain terminology has been used in this paper (). Older terms are given in parentheses in the list of abbreviations     

Genetic analysis of brown planthopper resistance in twenty varieties of rice,Oryza saliva L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stol.), of 20 rice cultivars was studied. Single dominant genes that are allelic to Bph 3 condition the resistance in cultivars Ptb 19, Gangala (Acc. 7733), Gangala (Acc. 15207), Horana Mawee, Kuruhondarwala, Mudu Kiriyal and Muthumanikam. Single recessive genes that are allelic to bph 4 govern the resistance in cultivars Gambada Samba, Heenhoranamawee, Hotel Samba, Kahata Samba, Kalukuruwee, Lekam Samba, Senawee, Sulai, Thirissa and Vellai Illankali. The resistance in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala, and Sinna Sivappu is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. The dominant resistance genes in these cultivars appear allelic to either Bph 1 or Bph 3. Similarly, the recessive genes in these cultivars seem allelic to either bph 2 or bph 4. Further investigations are needed to conclusively determine the allelic relationships of resistance genes in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala and Sinna Sivappu.     

Ethnocentricity and the social construction of ‘mass hysteria’

This study provides a critical historical review and analysis of the variety of human expressions which have been erroneously labeled under the grandiose category mass hysteria. It is argued that Western science reductionist approaches to the classification of mass hysteria treat it as an entity to be discovered transculturally, and in their self-fulfilling search for universals systematically exclude what does not fit within the autonomous parameters of its Western-biased culture model, exemplifying what Kleinman (1977) terms a category fallacy. As a result of objectivist methodologies, the etiology of actions labeled as mass hysteria is typically viewed as deviant, irrational or abnormal behavior resulting from a malfunctioning proper social order. However, what constitutes the correct social order is a function of a researcher's historical sociocultural and/or scientific milieu. This study reviews the problem, advocating Geertz's (1973) culturally relativistic approach to understanding various cross-cultural behavior that is sensitive to and tolerant of the unique context and milieu of participants. Mass or epidemic hysteria is viewed as an invention of Western psychiatry and should be abandoned and replaced with the term collective exaggerated emotions. Instead of attempting to discover a neatly packaged, unitary external disease entity, the focus of a meaning-oriented approach emphasizes the deciphering of foreign realities, semantic networks and symbol systems.     

Comparison of α and β keratin in reptiles

Summary The different patterns of keratin formation that have evolved in the class Reptilia are all variations of a common process. In Squamata (snakes and lizards), a sequence of layers composed of or keratin is formed periodically, after which the old epidermal generation is shed. In Chelonia (turtles and tortoises), the epidermis of the shell is composed of only keratin, whereas the skin of the neck and leg is composed exclusively of keratin. Molting in toto does not occur and shedding is a continuous process comparable to that in avian and mammalian epidermis. In Crocodilia (crocodiles, caimans, alligators) there is only a single layer of cornified cells, but the composition of the layer varies in different parts of the scale. The hinge regions have many of the morphological characteristics of and keratin whereas the center resembles keratin. The living cells beneath contain accumulations of keratohyalin.There are four ultrastructural characteristics of a keratinized layer: 1) cellular outlines remain distinct, 2) a thickened plasma membrane forms during keratinization, 3) 80 Å filaments embedded in an amorphous matrix can be seen, and 4) PAS-positive material accumulates in extracellular spaces between the desmosomes.The layer exhibits none of these features. Instead the cells more or less (depending on species) coalesce into a compact layer which becomes attenuated in the hinge regions. A 30 Å filament pattern can be seen.The mesos layer of squamates resembles the hinge region of crocodilians, exhibiting a combination of the characteristics of both and keratin.This study constitutes publication No. 464 from the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, supported in part by NIH Grant No. FR-00163.     

Hämatologische Beobachtungen an Regenbogenforellen (Salmo gairdneri RICH.). V. Die Erythozytenverteilungskurve

Zusammenfassung Für die Fischpathologie wird als differentialdiagnostisches Verfahren die Erythozytenmessung vorgeschlagen. Zur Darstellung der Erythrozytenverteilungskurve wird wegen der elliptischen Form der Fisch-Erythrozyten die in der Humanmedizin übliche Technik modifiziert.An 102 Regenbogenforellen (Salmo gairdneri) beiderlei Geschlechts im Alter von 1 bis 3 Jahren wurde versucht, die Normalkurve für gesunde Tiere dieser Population zu ermitteln. Die Größenverteilung der Erythrozyten ergibt eine Gauss-Glockenkurve, deren Gipfel in die Größenklasse 30–35 µm²/ fällt, und deren Basis von 15–20 µm²/ bis 55–60 µm²/ reicht.Zwischen den Price-Jones-Kurven der Milchner (52 Individuen) und Rogner (50 Individuen) bestehen keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Ebenso konnte keine Beeinflussung dieser Normalkurve durch unterschiedliches Alter oder jahreszeitliche Einflüsse — untersucht wurden in dieser Hinsicht die F₂ — beobachtet werden.

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Summary As differential-diagnostic feature in the fish pathology it is suggested to measure the red blood cells. The normal technique used in human medicine for plotting the distribution curve of the red blood cells is modified, because the red blood cells of the fish are of elliptical shape.102 rainbow trouts (Salmo gairdneri), both, male and female, and 1–3 years of age, were examined to find the normal curve for healthy animals of this population. The size distribution of the red blood cells show a bell-shaped Gauss-curve, the peak of which is 30–35 µm²/, and the basis of which reaches from 15–20 µm²/ to 55–60 µm²/.The Price-Jones-curves show no significant differences between the milters (52 individuals) and the spawners (50 individuals). Besides, changes caused by different age or seasonal influences could not be observed on this normal curve. Analyzed were the F₂ individuals.

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Institut für Siedlungswasserbau und Wassergütewirtschaft der Universität Stuttgart Biologische Abteilung - Arbeitsgruppe Haider     

Variation in stable isotope signatures of seston and a zooplanktivorous fish in a eutrophic Chinese lake

Temporal and spatial changes in ¹³C and ¹⁵N of seston (mainly phytoplankton) and isotopic relationship between seston and the lake anchovy (Coilia ectenes) were studied in the large eutrophic freshwater Lake Chaohu in China. Much of the spatial and temporal variation in ¹³C of lake anchovies was explained by variation in seston, indicating a strong link between pelagic primary production and higher order consumers. Because the lake is shallow, there were no significant differences in ¹³C and ¹⁵N of seston between surface and overlying waters. Spatially, the relatively high ¹³C and ¹⁵N of seston in the western part of the lake might be due to high levels of anthropogenically derived N and C introduced from the surrounding cities through sewage drainage systems. The trophic position of the lake anchovy in the food web of Lake Chaohu was estimated to be 2.9–4.1 (3.5 ± 0.4), which agrees well with the previous stomach content analysis suggesting that the lake anchovy fed both on zooplankton and small planktivorous fishes.     

Association between dwarfing genes ‘Rht1’ and ‘Rht2’ and resistance toSeptoria tritici Blotch in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell)

Summary Differences in levels of resistance toSeptoria tritici blotch were observed in plants with a specific height-reducing gene. When the gene Rht ₂ was present either as an isoline or in the progeny, a higher degree of resistance was found. The most susceptible plants were observed in populations carrying the Rht ₁ gene. Associations, as determined by phenotypic correlations, were detected betweenSeptoria tritici blotch and tall stature, late heading, and maturity. Plants having short stature, early heading, early maturity, and acceptable levels of resistance were identified in the F₂ population whenRht ₂ was present. Results of this study indicated that wheat breeders must select the appropriate dwarfing source that may confer resistance and grow large F₂ populations, in order to increase the probability of obtaining desired genotypes.     

Occurrence of organochlorine contaminants in tissues of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae

Synopsis Gas chromatography coupled with electrolytic conductivity detection and electron capture negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry have been used to identify and quantify organochlorine xenobiotics in tissues from two specimens of the living coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae. Compounds identified include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), 4,4-DDT and its metabolites 4,4-DDD and 4,4-DDE. Levels of these compounds in the specimens were observed to be generally related to tissue lipid content. Highest concentrations of the xenobiotics were present in the lipid-rich swim bladder, followed by adipose tissue and liver. Levels ranged from 89 to 510 g kg^–1 for PCB and 210 to 840 g kg^–1 for -DDT (including DDD and DDE) on a wet-weight basis. Organochlorine concentrations in relatively lipid-poor tissues, i.e. muscle and kidney, were lower. Parent DDT contributed significantly to the -DDT burden. PCB congeners containing five to seven chlorines were most prevalent. Component distributions did not match those present in common commercial PCB formulations. However, major congeners observed were similar to those reported for other fishes.     

Response of the cercus-to-giant interneuron system in crickets to species-specific song

Summary In addition to their high frequency stridulatory sound, crickets (Gryllus campestris) also produce low frequency airborne vibrations resulting from the strokes of the crickets' wings closing and opening during stridulation. Giant interneurons of the ventral cord, which receive inputs from cereal hairs, respond to these low frequencly components of cricket song up to a distance of some ten cm. The discharges are correlated to the time course of the acoustic stimulation, therefore allowing the transmission of the time patterns (syllables, chirps) of calling song, rivalry song and even courtship song. With simultaneous recording from both sides of the abdominal nerve cord, synchronous or alternating discharges can be detected, correlated either with syllables or intervals. The response mode depends on the position of the two individuals in relation to each other. Recording directly from singing males demonstrates interneuron response to selfgenerated signals, too. A possible communicative function of the system is discussed.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft as part of the program Neurale Mechanismen des Verhaltens (Da 61/8, 61/9)We thank Dr. F. Huber and Dr. H. Scharstein for helpful comments.     

Direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf, petiole, and stem explants of Golden Pothos

Somatic embryos directly formed at cut edges or on the surface of leaf explants, around cut ends or along side surfaces of petiole and stem explants of Golden Pothos [Epipremnum aureum (Linden & Andre) Bunt.] on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (CPPU) or N-phenyl-N-1, 2, 3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea (TDZ) with -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and a medium called MK containing MS salts with Kaos vitamins, supplemented with 2.0 mg/l TDZ and 0.2 mg/l NAA. Somatic embryos were also produced on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/l kinetin (KN) and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from leaf and petiole explants, MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l CPPU and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D from petiole and stem explants, and 2.0 mg/l TDZ and 0.2 mg/l or 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D from stem explants. In addition, somatic embryos occurred from stem explants on Chus N₆ medium containing 2.0 mg/l CPPU and 0.2 mg/l NAA. Somatic embryos matured and grew into multiple buds, shoots, or even plantlets after 2–3 months on the initial culture medium. Germination was optimal on MS medium containing either 2 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.2 mg/l NAA or 2 mg/l zeatin and 0.2 mg/l NAA. Shoots elongated better and roots developed well on MS medium with no growth regulators. Approximately 30–100 plantlets were regenerated from each explant. The regenerated plants grew vigorously after transplanting to a soil-less container substrate in a shaded greenhouse.